Sixteen WHS students receive Global Seal of Biliteracy in ceremony
During a ceremony on May 22 in Westfield High School, Meyleen Sierra, the Seal of Bilteracy Coordinator, said this is the first time that the school district has recognized the students in a ceremony. She said the school started the program last year as an opportunity for students to showcase their language skills by participating in exams for the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy. This year for the first time, the students also participated in exams for the Global Seal of Biliteracy, which she said crosses borders.
The students being recognized will earn a seal on their high school diploma, and a special cord to wear at graduation. Sierra said the Global Seal is an international recognition that sets students apart.
She then welcomed the students being recognized to the stage, while the Show Choir sang the national anthem.
The nine students who received the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy included Pavlo Balandiuk for Russian and Ukrainian; Ruslana Cherepanova for Russian; Mark Chyruk for Russian and Ukrainian; Dereck Melendez-Camacho for Spanish; Denys Prymych for Russian and Ukrainian; Ajaliz Ramos for Spanish; Justin Romanelli for Spanish - Romanelli also earned the MA State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction; Savelii Vashchenko for Russian and Ukrainian and Matthew Vinces for Spanish.
Sixteen students earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy which validates language skills and expands future opportunities for its recipients. It offers three levels of certification: Functional Fluency, Working Fluency, and Professional Fluency, each serving a meaningful purpose in this increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Available in over 100 languages, the Global Seal of Biliteracy has been issued by employers, universities, and secondary schools in over 30 countries and five continents.
'Our students have worked hard to develop their language skills, and we are thrilled to see their efforts recognized with the Global Seal of Biliteracy,' said Sierra. 'This certification not only celebrates their accomplishments but also opens doors for them in academia and the global job market.'
The students being recognized will earn a seal on their high school diploma, and a special cord to wear at graduation. Sierra said the Global Seal is an international recognition that sets students apart.
Recipients of the Global Seal of Biliteracy included Pavlo Balandiuk for Russian and Ukrainian; Jaiden Caban for Spanish; Ruslana Cherepanova for Russian, and Mark Chyruk for Russian and Ukrainian, and Mykyta Lushchynskyi for Russian and Ukrainian. Balandiuk, Chyruk and Lushchynskyi both also received a medal and Global Seal Certificate for working fluency.
Also receiving the Global Seal of Biliteracy were Makenzie Mailloux for Spanish; Dereck Melendez-Camacho for Spanish; Megan Moran for Spanish; Denys Prymych for Russian and Ukrainian; Ajaliz Ramos for Spanish; Natasha Rivera for Spanish; Nayshalis Rosario-Lopez for Spanish; Justin Romanelli for Spanish; Sophie Svantesson for Spanish; Savelii Vashchenko for Russian and Ukrainian, and Matthew Vinces for Spanish. Prymych, Romanelli and Vashchenko also received a medal and Global Seal Certificate for working fluency.
In his remarks, Principal Charles Jendrysik said, 'In life, it's important to distinguish yourselves.' He said having skill and proficiency in multiple languages.creates more opportunities, and is also a sign of being a culturally aware citizen in the community who embraces various cultures in a meaningful way.
'It's an honor to stand before you. This is a truly remarkable achievement,' said Anna Antropova, supervisor of the English language learner program. She said not only did the students learn the culture, but the ability to speak, read and write in multiple languages. She said the achievement belongs to them and their families, and to their teachers Meyleen Sierra and Amy Satkowski.
Antropova said all of the students being recognized had the mindset, 'I can learn. We look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish,' she said.
Sierra then introduced student keynote speaker Sophie Svantesson, Class of 2025.
Svantesson said she started studying Spanish in 7th grade, 'and discovered my passion for learning languages.' She said she was grateful at having the opportunity to travel to Spain in 2024, where she was immersed in the language. She said she plans to continue Spanish while studying biology at Providence College in the fall. Svantesson then repeated her remarks in Spanish.
After the ceremony, the students and their families were invited for refreshments in the cafeteria where they spoke about the honor.
'I think it's pretty important for jobs. For example, I have multiple languages — it's better than knowing only English,' said Savelli Vashchenko. Vashchenko, a junior, said next year he plans to enter the Westfield Promise early college program and keep up his good grades. He said he is interested in studying business in the future.
Denys Prymych, whose family came with him to the ceremony, said learning languages is interesting for him. Prymych is interested in going into the aviation program at CT Aero Tech for aircraft mechanics and then flight school. He said he already has 10 hours of flight training. 'Something different,' he said.
Ajaliz Ramos, who received a State and Global Certificate of Biliteracy for Spanish, said she is glad that WHS is recognizing these students, who 'put in a lot of work. It's great that we embrace people who take in another language and another culture,' she said. Ramos will be attending Westfield State University for finance.
Anna Camacho, who came to see her son Dereck Melendez-Camacho earn the recognition, said, 'I'm very happy to see the students recognized. It's very important.'
Antropovo said she is hoping the ceremony will grow every year. She said one of her children received the award in another district, a ceremony that she attended as a parent, and recommended WHS implement it for their bilingual students.. 'They certainly have what it takes,' she said.
For more information about the Global Seal of Biliteracy, visit https://theglobalseal.com/.
Read the original article on MassLive.
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